Maine island wind turbines create noise problems

Island residents including Patrick Trainor (lower right) and his dog Kaiko gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the three wind turbines of Fox Islands Wind on Vinalhaven on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. "It's pretty terrific," said Trainor of the trio of turbines, which are expected to generate enough electricity to power both Vinalhaven and North Haven islands. The venture is the largest community-owned wind project on the East Coast. (Bangor Daily News/Bridget Brown)

The Associated Press

Posted Jan. 25, 2010, at 10:37 a.m.

VINALHAVEN, Maine — A wind power project dedicated two months ago on Maine’s Vinalhaven island is creating plenty of power, but it’s also creating problems for neighbors who say the turbines are noisy and disruptive.

When the island’s three turbines were turned on in November, they were touted as a way to generate electricity at lower rates for residents on Vinalhaven and nearby North Haven.

A number of residents who were supporters of the project are having a change of mind because of the noise issues. They say the noise, which varies with wind speed and direction, ranges from mildly annoying to intrusive and is disrupting the quiet solitude that comes with island living.

In the wake of the complaints, the developer is taking steps to lessen the impact.